Melton RAFA branch and club’s open day to celebrate 70th anniversary of VJ Day and raise funds for Wings Appeal

The Melton Mowbray Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) branch and club will be holding an open day next Saturday (August 15) to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day which marked the end of the Second World War.

The event, starting at the Asfordby Road branch at 10am, will include various stalls consisting of raffles, tombolas, children’s games, vintage vehicles and displays about Melton during the Second World War. There will be a bar with guest beers, a barbecue and music by Tornado Brass. Evening entertainment will be provided by Nigel Baker.

This year is also the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the RAFA branch is inviting people to join them at next Saturday’s event, in tribute to those who played their part at this pivotal time during the Second World War, while enjoying a cream tea at the ‘Brew for the Few’ tea party.

There’s no charge for admission and everyone is welcome to attend during the day or night (10am-11pm) to help raise funds for the RAFA Wings Appeal. Money raised will go towards providing much needed help to past, present and future members of the RAF and their families in times of need.

Next Sunday (August 16) a re-dedication and wreath laying service will take place at a memorial honouring the crew of a Wellington bomber which crashed in Melton 71 years ago - on August 13, 1944.

Last year a memorial was unveiled at the site of the crash, off Saxby Road, in which seven of the eight RAF crew members on board lost their lives.

Exact timings for the re-dedication service will be confirmed in due course.